States must take an active role in collecting and disseminating data crucial to supporting students’ long-term outcomes

A new report from the Data Quality Campaign (DQC) calls on states to ensure their data systems enable access to information that helps young people navigate postsecondary transitions into education or the workforce. Released March 27, the resource, Powering Potential: Using Data to Support Postsecondary […]

Students in foster care face many of the same academic disparities they did a decade ago

A new report from WestEd, Revisiting California’s Invisible Achievement Gap: Trends in Education Outcomes of Students in Foster Care in the Context of the Local Control Funding Formula, highlights the persistent disparities that young people in the foster care system face while in school.

National superintendent survey highlights the importance of summer learning

Local educational agency leaders believe summer learning programs play a critical role in achieving district goals, despite ongoing challenges with funding and more, according to a survey of K-12 superintendents across the U.S. AASA, The School Superintendents Association, along with Gallup and the National Summer […]

New fact sheet provides snapshot of chronic absenteeism in California

Despite recent improvements in attendance, chronic absenteeism rates remain stubbornly high throughout the state, according to a March fact sheet released by the Public Policy Institute of California. Absenteeism peaked in 2021–22 when nearly 1.8 million California TK–12 students (30 percent) were considered chronically absent. […]

Promising strategies to reduce chronic absenteeism among homeless youth

Students experiencing homelessness miss school at nearly twice the rate of their peers, but school districts across the country are implementing strategies that are reducing chronic absence rates, according to a new report from SchoolHouse Connection and Attendance Works. Through a series of case studies, […]

New report sheds light on commonalities and differences among highly mobile youth

Children experiencing homelessness, those in foster care, migratory students, and youth involved in the juvenile legal system face compounded challenges that disrupt their education, health and future opportunities. The UCLA Center for the Transformation of Schools released a report in February, Often Overlooked but Not […]

Dual enrollment in math courses is growing and becoming more diverse, but study finds room to grow

Through dual enrollment, California high school students earn college credits when they take and pass a college course. According to a February Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) report, legislation, significant financial investments and advocacy have helped inform and support the growth of dual enrollment […]

New research: States must step up to ensure students have internet access

The federal Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF), Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) — all of which boosted student connectivity during and after the pandemic — have come to an end, leaving states to pick up the slack to ensure […]

How states are working to address school principal pipeline and effectiveness

Research shows that school leaders play a pivotal role in school and student success, with effective principals boosting attendance, academic achievement and other educational outcomes. However, like the teacher pipeline, the staffing pipeline for principals is facing significant challenges. A recent policy snapshot released by […]

Early childhood data needed to improve services, access and outcomes

Participation in high-quality early care and education programs is crucial in setting children up for success in K-12 and beyond. But challenges including families receiving limited information about services; service providers being overburdened by data submission requirements; and policymakers knowing little about these services and […]